(461513) 1.4 BGE 1 - Electromagnetic Spectrum Summary Notes

S2/3 BGE Physics Course 1
Unit 1 - Waves and Radiation
4. Electromagnetic
Spectrum
Summary Notes
Topic 4 – Electromagnetic Spectrum
The Electromagnetic Spectrum is the name given to the
range of all known radiations. The spectrum is arranged
in order of wavelength or frequency. The members of
the EM spectrum in order are:
Radio, TV, Microwaves, Infra-Red, Visible Light,
Ultraviolet, X-Rays and Gamma Rays.
Increasing Frequency
Increasing Wavelength
Radio waves have the longest wavelength and the

lowest frequency of any member and Gamma Rays
have the highest frequency and the shortest
wavelength.
Gamma Rays are the highest energy EM waves as they

have the highest frequency.
Every member of the EM spectrum travels at the same

speed in a vacuum. They all travel at the speed of light
in air which is 300,000,000 ms-1 or 3x108ms-1.
The Visible Spectrum
Visible light is the only member of the EM spectrum
which can be seen without special equipment.
All other members of the visible spectrum are invisible
and have another method of detection.
This part of the spectrum is the only part which can be
seen by the human eye. The colours in order are:
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet
Red light has the longest wavelength.

Violet light has the shortest wavelength.
As you go from Red to Violet light, the wavelength
decreases and the frequency and energy increase.
Note: It is referred to as the Visible Spectrum and not a
Rainbow!!
Practical Uses of EM Radiation
EM Radiation Application
Radio waves Radio Telescopes.
Wireless radio transmission.
TV waves Terrestrial TV signals.
Microwaves Cooking food.
Speaking on mobile phones.
Infra-Red Thermal imaging cameras for the
Police and Fire Services.
Physiotherapists use to treat muscle
injuries.
Visible Light Needed to see anything.
Ultraviolet Used to treat skin conditions.
Vitamin D3 for the brain.
Security markings on property.
X-Rays Checking for broken bones.
Scanning airport luggage.
Gamma rays Radioactive tracers in medicine and
leaking underground pipes.
Sterilising hospital equipment.
Examples of these EM radiation applications are shown

below:
Radio and TV transmission.
Microwave Oven cooking

food.
A firefighter using an Infra-Red
camera at the scene of a fire.
A UV pen can be used on property.

This marking can only be seen
when illuminating with a UV light.
A person going through airport

security and having their
baggage scanned by an X-Ray
machine.
Putting Gamma Radiation

through a cracked water pipe
to find the location of a leak.
EM Radiation Detectors
Visible light is the only member of the EM spectrum
which can be seen without special equipment. All
other members of the spectrum are invisible and have
another method of detection.
Radiation Detector
Radio & TV Aerial, Radio Telescope
Microwaves Aerial, Radio Telescope
Infra-red Thermometer, Skin
Visible Light Eyes, Solar Cell
Ultraviolet Photographic Film
X-Rays Photographic Film
Gamma Rays GM Tube
Radio Telescopes are used to pick

up radio, TV and microwaves.
Solar cells will convert

(visible) light energy into
electrical energy.
A Geiger – Muller Tube and

counter. This will detect ionising
radiation such as Gamma Rays.
Safety precautions with EM Radiation
Gamma Radiation should not be handled with your
bare hands, tongs or forceps should be used. It should
not be pointed at your body, particularly your eyes.
Radiographers stand behind a lead-glass screen when
they are taking an X-Ray. This is to reduce their
exposure to the radiation emitted.
Too much exposure to ultra-violet radiation over a

period of time can lead to skin cancer.
Looking directly into sunlight (visible light) can damage
your sight.
Too much exposure to Infra-Red radiation (heat
radiation) can burn bare skin.
Microwaves used in mobile telephone communication

can affect sperm levels. It is recommended that men do
not walk about with their mobile phones in their trouser
pockets.

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S2/3 BGE Physics Course 1

Unit 1 - Waves and Radiation

Radio waves have the longest wavelength and the

Gamma Rays are the highest energy EM waves as they

Every member of the EM spectrum travels at the same

Red light has the longest wavelength.

Examples of these EM radiation applications are shown

Radio and TV transmission.

Microwave Oven cooking

A UV pen can be used on property.

A person going through airport

Putting Gamma Radiation

Radio Telescopes are used to pick

Solar cells will convert

A Geiger – Muller Tube and

Too much exposure to ultra-violet radiation over a

Microwaves used in mobile telephone communication

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